This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 16:19-31 NIV)
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores
21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,
28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30″ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Inevitability of Death and the Importance of Preparedness.
— The parable reminds us that death is a certainty for everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
— It emphasizes the need to live each day with an awareness of our mortality and an eye toward eternity.
— It encourages us to evaluate our spiritual state and relationship with God regularly.
— It teaches that the time to prepare for eternity is now, as our earthly life is fleeting.
— It stresses the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God as our earthly actions echo into eternity.
— It reminds us that material wealth is temporary and cannot secure our eternal destiny.
— It encourages us to seek spiritual riches that have eternal value, such as faith, love, and service to others (things that have value now and in the life to come).
— Are you ready to die? Are you prepared for when that day comes? I am. I pray you are as well.
2. A Divine Perspective on Equality and Justice.
— The fact that Abraham said to the rich man, even after he was dead (physically) and in torment, “‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony” speaks volumes.
— This parable illustrates God’s impartial judgment, emphasizing that divine justice transcends earthly inequalities.
— It reminds us that in God’s eyes, every soul is equal, regardless of their earthly status or wealth.
— It highlights that divine justice is not based on material possessions but on one’s relationship with God and others.
— It encourages us to practice humility and to treat all individuals with equal respect and love.
— This parable stresses that God’s justice is perfect and fair, providing comfort that every action will be rightly judged. This is why you don’t have to get people back. God will see to it that everyone reaps whatever they sow.
— This parable urges us to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
3. How God Sees It When You Ignore the Needs of Others.
— The rich man’s neglect of Lazarus highlights the consequences of indifference to the suffering of others.
— To be clear, this man did not pay for his neglect while he was on earth. While he was on this planet, he enjoyed basking in his riches and ignoring the needs of the less fortunate. But in hell, he regretted his decisions.
— This provides an answer to those who question why the wicked seem to get away with things now, in this world, without any consequences. Believe me, they will get what is coming to them. God’s Word is clear: He will not be mocked. Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
— This parable teaches us that we will all reap a harvest from the seeds we have sown, and harvest time is not just limited to this world. We will reap a harvest, EVEN IN THE WORLD TO COME!
— This parable encourages us to be attentive to the needs of those around us, especially the less fortunate.
— It stresses the importance of compassion and active help, not just passive sympathy.
— It teaches that ignoring the needs of others can lead to spiritual bankruptcy and eternal consequences.
— It reminds us of what James said, “True religion involves caring for the widows and orphans” (James 1:27).
— This parable encourages us to use our resources, time, and talents to make a positive impact on others’ lives.
— It highlights that our treatment of others is a reflection of our love for God.
4. The Role of Stewardship and Generosity in the Christian Life.
— The parable emphasizes the Christian duty of stewardship and the responsible use of resources.
— It encourages us to view our wealth and resources as tools for serving God and helping others.
— It stresses the importance of generosity as a reflection of God’s character and love.
— It reminds us that our willingness to share with others is a measure of our understanding of God’s grace.
— It teaches that true riches lie in our acts of kindness and generosity, not in material possessions.
— Our acts of generosity in this world will echo withing the halls of eternity.
5. The Power of God’s Word to Transform Lives.
— The rich man’s request for Lazarus to warn his brothers underscores the power of God’s Word to transform lives.
— Abraham was like, “No, we are not going to send anyone to tell them what they already know. They know the Word. The Word testifies of the truth. If they ignore the Word, like you did, they will have to deal with the consequences of their decisions.”
— This parable stresses the importance of listening to and heeding the teachings of the Bible.
— It also encourages us to actively share the Gospel, understanding its power to change hearts and destinies.
— This parable reminds us that God’s Word is sufficient for our guidance and transformation.
— There is POWER in the Word of God!
6. The Importance of Self-Reflection and Spiritual Awareness.
— The parable invites us to self-reflect and evaluate our spiritual priorities and values.
— It encourages introspection about how we use our blessings and whether they align with God’s purposes. This is a good time of the year for this type of introspection and reflection.
— We must remember that our choices today impact our eternal destiny.
— This parable urges us to seek a deeper relationship with God, cultivating a life of prayer and meditation on His Word.
— It also highlights the dangers of being absorbed in worldly pleasures while neglecting spiritual growth and maturity.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I acknowledge the inevitability of death and the importance of being spiritually prepared.
I commit to living a life that reflects Your justice and equality, treating everyone with Christ-like love and humility.
I choose not to ignore the needs of others, demonstrating Your compassion and kindness through my actions.
I use the resources You have entrusted to me to glorify Your name and bless others.
I believe in the transformative power of Your Word and commit to being both a hearer and a doer of Your Word.
I reflect, contemplate, and meditate on Your Word daily, helping me to check my heart continually.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
